Pattern: Sock pattern from The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns, Basic Patterns in Multiples Sizes and Gauges by Ann Budd
Size: 7 1/2 circumference
Yarn: Dalegarn Falk, color ? - my son calls it army green, (100% superwash wool), sport weight, 116yards/1.5 oz per skein
Needles: Clover Bamboo dpn size 3
Gauge: 6.5 stitches/inch
Started/finished: March 2-6, 2006
Recipient: my son
Washing Instructions: machine wash and lay flat to dry
My son put in a special request for me to make him “army socks” (I should note here that he later told me that “big people that are in the army” don’t wear army socks, because “that would be silly.” I am continually amused by how his mind works). So, we went for a visit to out LYS, where he picked out Falk yarn that was just the color he was thinking of.
I decided that for these socks I would try a new pattern. I chose the pattern from Ann Budd’s book because it is a basic sock pattern –something I have never actually done before! I followed the instructions for the 7.5 inch circumerence foot at 6 stitches per inch, but I knit the socks at 6.5 stitches per inch so they would be a bit smaller. I ended the foot (before toe shaping) at 6 inches instead of the instructed 6.5 inches.
The end result is a sock that is just a bit too big on him both in circumference and in length. This is exactly what I wanted since these are wool socks and it is already March. This way he can wear them now a bit big and then wear them again all next winter.
He loves the socks. He wore the first sock all day after it was finished while I worked on the second. In total they only took me six days, and that was putting in small amounts of time each day.
T
he yarn was bit stiff feeling while knitting, but after washing them, they softened up and feel really nice. I would definitely use both the yarn and the pattern again.
My husband was reading over my shoulder, and he wants your son to know he wears army socks and he is in the Army. They pretty much look the same as your socks… maybe a little longer.
Great socks! My next project will be attempting my first pair of socks!
I just read your comment to my son, and he is just beaming! He is so proud to be wearing such “real” socks. Good luck with your socks… they really are much easier then you would think.
I, too, have a son who loves handknit socks and I stumbled upon your blog looking for sizing advice. . . I just finished one sock of a new pair for his growing feet (he’s 5 1/2) and it fits perfectly! Now I’m torn, though, between leaving it as is, or ripping back and adding a 1/4 inch to the length, just to extend the time he can wear it. It’s decisions like this that paralyze me. . . Any suggestions? He mostly likes them to sleep in.
The army socks are very nice (I’m sure they don’t fit him anymore!) and I like Ann Budd’s basic pattern - so easy!